Acts of the Spirit // Patience

In this sermon from our Acts of the Spirit series, Pastor Nicole turns our focus to our Acts of Patience.

More Than Waiting

The biblical patience from Galatians is more than waiting in line or staying calm when your coffee order takes too long. It’s about how we respond to life’s challenges and injustices. In Galatians 5:22, Paul tells us that patience is a product of love – the ability to endure difficulties without letting anger or frustration control our actions.

In Acts 21, Paul demonstrates this Christlike patience. When he’s falsely accused, beaten and arrested, Paul doesn’t lash out or retaliate. Instead, he remains calm, enduring the chaos with love and grace. His actions remind us that true patience isn’t passive — it’s an active response motivated by love.

Patience With Others

Patience calls us to respond with love, even when others wrong us. Paul writes about makrothymia –long-suffering, which means patience with people even after being wrong. Paul lived this out in Acts when he refrained from anger and chose reconciliation over retaliation.

At Refuge, our patience with others means we embrace their differences and love them just the way they are. Whether it’s someone with a different background, belief, or worldview. Patience is about showing love and understanding, even when it’s hard.

God’s Patience With Us

Makrothymia isn’t just something we practice with others; it’s also how we reflect God’s love for us. God is patience with us in our journeys, waiting as we grow and learn. When Paul faced opposition, God reminded him to stay the course and not give up.

In the same way, we are called to endure, trusting that every small act of love will grow into something significant. Patience means trusting the process and saying committed to love, even when results take time.